New York in 48 hours? It can be done. My daughter and I are living proof—we did just that!
On the weekend of the third day, he boarded the red eye on Friday night and landed at Newark airport at 5 Saturday morning.
(Before further, here’s a great time saver when you’re traveling in a whirlwind to check this one-don’t check any bags, just make sure to carry it and just walk to the transportation of choice instead of hanging around. Terminal baggage)
We rented a car (it came out to be $10 more than the Supershuttle because of toll roads) and were in our Manhattan hotel room by 6 a.m. Since it was a holiday, the city and roads were very light so we had the best time. we stayed at a boutique hotel called Flatotel. It was a perfect place for us to walk through many aspects of the city. First on our agenda was to get some sleep, shower and grab a cab to Union Square Park to meet my best friend from High School. Friends with some models (husband and wife team) who bought the restaurant “The Coffee Shop”, so we met there for some brunch. In the same area as the famous food and park “St. Green farmers market was and runs. We were all foodies, so this walk was awesome after a very good meal. My friend and partner left us for a day trip, pointing us in the direction of the famous Chelsea Market.
He was alone walking 15 blocks, so I left my daughter and went, crossing parts of Fifth and Fifth streets on the way. We also found Balducci’s market and went inside. What a wonderful upscale place to shop. We met a real monk named Renita who was tasting coffee from Mayorga that was roasted in small batches at the Mayorga mission. 75% of the beans are certified by the Rainforest Alliance. All I can say is that it was delicious and could take a Starbuck’s document.
The Chelsea market was not as big as we thought from Food Network, mainly because we were in such a hurry to see as much of Manhattan as we could , we didn’t know we were in one small complex! While we were there we found out that it was a tour that “tastes New York”. But alas, it allows only 48 hours for so much!
We had to go back to Union Square to take the train (an experience in itself) to 42nd St. .. Once in Time Square, Rockefeller Center, Broadway, we took in many sights in and around the streets there, including what turned out to be the cheesiest excuse for an improvisational afternoon show ever. But it was good, as we were already quite tired. After our short rest, my daughter wanted to take the NBC tour and do Top Rock. The tour is sold out, but we had a fantastic experience at Top of the Rocks.
What can be said about the head of the rock? To be called an 8th miracle of the world! You literally 67 floors are shot (the top of the car is glass, so you can see the climb) and it comes out in the first 3 observation decks. Each has a 360 degree view of Manhattan. It was absolutely breath-taking. When my husband asked if it was as beautiful as Waimea Canyon in Kauai, I told him that it was so far above (pun intended) that there were no words to describe the sentence.
After this day we are hungry and tired. Thankfully we found a random chain called Local Brewery. It had been a hot and humid day, we stuck to some nice light snacks that were very tasty and lots of ice water. On the way back we stopped at the 24/7 bakery and picked up a treat to have with coffee in our room. 10 of us collapsed.
Our wake-up call got us up and out the door at 8. We went to a nearby deli, as the waitress suggested from dinner. Of course we had bagels. We found the ubiquitous Starbucks for coffee, as the deli didn’t have a single seat open, and ate our breakfast there. Then he was away to meet our journey for the sixth hour of the city. The road was beautiful, so they were feeding.
The 6 hour tour was perfect for the two still tired women. It was a small group of about 16 and our tour guide, Tom, was knowledgeable and a real predator. We were taken to so many places and told so many things that we couldn’t even digest half the site and information. Illuminations of the Classic Zoo (in memory of John Lennon) in Central Park, Pier 17, on the Island State Ferry (which we had a view of Ellis and Governor’s Islands, the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan) Wall St, many other buildings and neighborhoods and then Ground Zero. Ground Zero and the surrounding area mostly brought us to tears. About whom every one seemed to feel sadness, as well as hope.
When our 48 hours came to an end, we girls did a little shopping. Sarah in H& M, me at Ann Taylor. Our next special dinner came when theater tickets were not on the cards. We were lucky enough to be across the street from celebrity chefBobby-flay”>Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain.
An upscale place with dark paneled walls, a ’40’ feel. Beautiful restaurant, terrific service and wonderful food. There is a reason why it is good.
We returned to our hotel and prepared for our early departure. We are exhausted, happy and re-connected. This was done thanks to my daughter’s wish girls weekend and Manattan.
